Joe Budden isn’t afraid to address the uncomfortable. On a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast, the veteran rapper-turned-media voice peeled back layers of loyalty, character, and what it means to evolve—even when the world refuses to see it.
Right out the gate, Budden tackled the idea of legal pressure, stating that if he were ever called into a deposition, he’d simply “tell the truth.” Not out of fear—but because, as he put it, “I live clean.” With a smirk, he added that being famous has its perks—“They’d at least ask me to bring a lawyer.”
But this wasn’t just about hypotheticals. Budden reminded listeners that he’s already been through high-stakes situations and kept it solid. “I held y’all down,” he said, not looking for praise but asserting that it was a reflection of who he is. “Even if no one recognizes it, I know I did right—and that’s enough.”
As the conversation deepened, Joe touched on how he steers clear of anything remotely criminal. “I don’t even like being around people with too many Cash App accounts,” he joked, before getting serious about how easily the feds can connect the dots through digital breadcrumbs. Whether it’s suspicious wire transfers or someone asking him to move money through shady platforms, Budden made it clear: association alone can be dangerous.
The message was consistent throughout—his loyalty isn’t dependent on others. “Most people wouldn’t do the same for you,” he admitted. “But I’m not doing it for them. I’m doing it for me.”
Character, he explained, is something that exists whether or not the world is watching. And while he owns the fact that he used to be viewed as untrustworthy—by friends, women, even companies—he says he’s worked to outgrow that image. “At 44, I’m not the same guy I was,” Budden said, acknowledging that while he’s grown, others may still see the “old Joe.” And he’s okay with that.
The internet, Joe pointed out, has a way of freezing people in their lowest moments. “They don’t want to let you grow,” he said. But real growth, in his view, starts with self-awareness—not public validation. “The update has to happen inside. If they don’t see it, that’s not my job.”
The episode closed with a somber truth: “Everybody can’t go.” Using a metaphor, Budden compared life to deep water, saying, “The deeper you go, the lighter the boat needs to be.” As he continues to grow, he’s learned that some people—especially those clinging to outdated versions of him—just don’t fit into his future.
